Friday, November 12, 2010

The Annual Christmas Memory Tree Program was held on Thursday, November 11, at the Lake Odessa Freight Station Museum. Approximately 60 gathered for the tenth year of this holiday tradition. Ornaments were hung as the names were read of almost 600 loved ones. These ornaments have all been donated in memory of someone and represent our family, friends and neighbors. Shown in the photos are above Betty Erickson hanging an ornament in memory of her father, Lee A. Hazel. Below is Rosemary Hickey hanging an ornament in memory of her sister, Marie O'Mara. This is a special time that begins our holiday season at the museum. The Memory Trees will remain up through January....come and check them out!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A recent donation to the Lake Odessa Area Historical Scoiety was a project completed by Jack and Elaine (Allarding) Garnaat and Phyllis (Lepard) Olmstead. The project is a collected book form and focuses on the history of the Darby School. This rural school was located in southern Campbell Township which later became part of the Lakewood School District. The book includes photographs of the school and students throughout the years, a copy of the abstract and deed for where the school property is located, documents related to teachers and students, a list of teachers plus a great deal of additional information related to the Darby School. This wonderful history is an addition to the collection of rural school histories that are housed in the School Room at the Lake Odessa Museum Complex. This history and others are available for public viewing and anyone interested in the Darby School or others are encouraged to stop by. There are still many other rural schools that need to be chronicled and it is hoped that this project will inspire others to do the same. Thank you for this great contribution and for all the work that was put into this!

SOCIETY HAPPENINGS

LAKE ODESSA MUSEUM COMPLEX-Located at 1117 Emerson St. includes a Pere Marquette Depot built in 1887, a restored Grand Trunk Caboose, the Freight Station Musuem which houses local historical displays and the Ionia County Genealogical Library, and the Hosford House. Hours for the museum are the last full week-end of each month: Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and Sunday 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Special Events may have extended hours-check event calendar. The Lake Odessa Area Historical Society invites you to become involved in the many events and activites that are offered. For more information please contact the Society President, John Waite-email jrwgen@hotmail.com.